Sunflower-growing competition won by sky-scraping 11ft plant

The photos show winner David Smith receiving his trophy from Co-organiser Adrian Acton

A sky-scraping 11ft sunflower took the honours in a competition organised by the Rotary Club of St Ives.

Philip Sadler measuring the winning sunflower.

David Smith was the grower behind the winning specimen, with his sunflower measuring 11ft 2.5 inches. Derek Wheeldon came in second and Simon Townend finished third.

The competition saw Rotarians given six weeks to allow their sunflowers to grow, with the seedlings supplied by Oakington Garden Centre.

Competition co-organiser Philip Sadler, who is the chairman of the club’s international and foundation committee said: “We’ve had tremendous weather for growing sunflowers and as you can see from the results, competitors have produced some giant specimens in no time at all.

“All the funds raised will go to Rotary’s own charity, whose work includes the world-acclaimed End Polio Now campaign, as well as supporting disaster relief around the globe.”